Remote sensing data from Earth observation satellites are essential for many geoscientific questions. They document, for example, degrees of urbanisation and industrialisation, traffic loads, air pollution, and areas that are used for agriculture and forestry. Using the Alps as an example, DLR scientists illustrate the impact of climate change on this unique ecosystem.

Credit:
DLR (CC-BY 3.0).

Remote sensing data from Earth observation satellites are essential for many geoscientific questions. They document, for example, degrees of urbanisation and industrialisation, traffic loads, air pollution, and areas that are used for agriculture and forestry. Weather-independent radar satellites constantly gather high precision data from which such effects can be exactly determined even in regions that are difficult to access. Moreover, these data can be used to generate global digital terrain models. At the same time, remote sensing data highlight the consequences of climate change. Using the Alps as an example, DLR scientists illustrate the impact of climate change on this unique ecosystem.